Riccarton form pointer for Cromwell performance

Kelvin Tyler.

Strong Riccarton form should be the pointer for the winner of the $30,000 1400m open handicap at Cromwell tomorrow.

Just which Riccarton runner that might be is still to be determined, but Timy Tyler’s trainer Kelvin Tyler hopes that it will be his charge that is victorious.

The Riverton trainer set Timy Tyler a tough fresh-up task during New Zealand Cup, taking on a strong Mohua premier field on the last day of the carnival.

But he acquitted himself well in his first run since August, finishing fourth and less than two lengths away from the winner Batman "He went a really good race," Tyler said.

"There were some good horses in that field, and he’s come through it really good. He comes into Cromwell pretty good at the weights so he’d be a nice chance up there."

Indeed he does. Signify is the top weight at 60kg, but Timy Tyler’s weight of 56kg will drop down to 54kg thanks to jockey Kevin Kalychurun’s 2kg claim.

"It’s been a while since he’s gone around with 54kg on his back," Tyler said.

"I always find Cromwell to be a really nice track. It might be a good3, but it’s not like Riccarton. On the first two days at Riccarton, it was a [fast]1 or [good]2 in my opinion."

From barrier six, Kalychurun should be able to find a spot handy to the pace, which suits Timy Tyler’s racing pattern.

"He hasn’t got a big sprint on him — he’s just got a bit of a grind. If he can get outside the leader, that would be nice," Tyler said.

Coulee might be even more of a ratings special though. The Brian and Shane Anderton-trained runner is carded with 54kg as she drops back from the group 3 Canterbury Breeders Stakes, but jockey Gosen Jogoo can claim a further 2kg.

"She gets in really good at the weights and she’s a good horse when she’s right. It won’t be easy, but I’m pretty happy with Timy anyway."

Tyler has ensured Keep The Courage is slightly on the fresh side in the 2030m open handicap after he finished second and seventh in his two runs during New Zealand Cup week.

"He should have just about won on the Wednesday at Riccarton," Tyler said.

"He just got left sleeping at the back of the field and they sprinted home in that last bit. He actually went a really good race on the Wednesday but was just probably a little bit flat on the last day.

"He didn’t seem to have the same sort of freshness in his legs, but he certainly has now. 2000m won’t worry him at all. He was only getting warm in the 2000m at Riccarton so he will love that. It’s just a case of getting things right on the day."

Flying Sardine (race 1) is well overdue for a maiden win and is a good chance if she avoids trouble, while Tyler thinks Road To Redemption (race 11) is a stayer in the making.

"He’s got a lot of ability so he’d probably be the best of the rest," Tyler said.